Er... haven't we been here before Patrick?

Last updated at 08:29 07 July 2005

Yes. There is more chance of a Vieira transfer saga than a suntan in an English summer. For the last two years it was Real Madrid but they have grown tired of the chase as Vieira is not the force he used to be.

He's 29. So why is the famous Old Lady of Italian football chasing an old man?

He might not have had such a good season, but before that he led the Invincibles to an unbeaten campaign. He is captain of France and, on a good day, can still march through any midfield.

If that's the case, why would Arsenal sell? It doesn't send out a good message when Chelsea are ready to spend again.

First is first and second is nowhere. Arsenal are looking to re-shape their team and need more pace and dynamism. Wenger plucked Vieira as an unknown from AC Milan. He made him, he can move him. Wenger rarely makes mistakes in the transfer market. He wants the Champions League - Vieira has failed to deliver that.

Will the news that Arsenal are ready to sell make Jose Mourinho interested now he has missed out on Steven Gerrard?

No. Lyon's Michael Essien is his new target. He's a younger version of Vieira.

How about Fergie?

Vieira and Roy Keane in the same Old Trafford dressing room? They can't even share a tunnel.

Why does each summer throw up these sagas. If it's not Vieira, it's Gerrard. Now it's both.